SOPHIE KITCHING

“An invitation
To become sublimely lost
Amongst the unseen
To dive within the flora
Submerged in viridescence
Scattering the colourful debris
Which gently settles in my wake”
—Tiffany Jade

“You can cut all the flowers, but you can’t keep spring from coming” – Pablo Neruda

Messums is thrilled to announce an upcoming group exhibition in the extraordinary tithe barn at Messums West which considers individual and collective responses to environment represented in landscape painting today. This exhibition delves into the dynamic realm of contemporary painting through the lens of artists who reimagine and experience the natural world through their practices. Landscapes are a potent medium for exploring the intricate symbiotic relationship we have with nature and how, through painting, our perspectives can change to reflect this.

Our curatorial approach aims to draw together perceptions of landscape through the eyes of artists who experience, observe, and appreciate it, demonstrating how understanding through observation can lead to different value systems of perceived beauty. The deeper purpose is to not only reflect this beauty but to invite the viewer to reconsider their own interactions with the environment. With a range of art forms that address everything from ecological issues to envisioning harmonious coexistence, the exhibition underscores art’s vital role in fostering awareness and inspiring change in our engagement in the world around us.

The selection process was based on a range of criteria, relating largely to materials, working practices and subject matter. The aim is to look at the conversation around landscape in the 21st century in a deeper context, with critical thinking exploring how landscape and our collective wellbeing mirror each other. Above all, it considers the entwined nature of our relationship with the environment, celebrated through the marks we make. With a spirit of resilience, we echo Pablo Neruda’s sentiment: “You can cut all the flowers, but you can’t keep spring from coming.” This exhibition celebrates the green force that flows through us all, whilst recognising the consequences that can occur when we make wrong assumptions about nature.

The exhibition originated in an open call out which aimed to discover new and exciting work being produced by emerging and mid-career artists outside the gallery’s immediate sphere. The incredible global response resulted in a hugely successful exhibition at Messums London in 2024, and this exhibition expands the scope of this project to present a much larger selection of work, introducing artists who were not able to be accommodated in the Cork Street gallery, thus embracing the rich diversity and exceptional talent of contemporary landscape artists today.

Selected artists: Martha Beaumont, Cara Campbell, Tessa Coleman, Matilda Dumas, Florence Evenden, Rene Gonzalez, Jelly Green, Harry Martin, Beatrice Hassell McCosh, Tyga Helme, Jean Huang, Sax Impey, Sophie Kitching, Binny Mathews, Peter Matthews, Sofia Petrova, Michael Rainsford, Harriet White